Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28: Eligibility, Stipend, Selection and How to Apply

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) funds full-time PhD study at Hong Kong’s universities. It was set up in 2009 by the Research Grants Council (RGC) and is open to students of any nationality. For the 2027/28 academic year, 400 fellowships will be awarded. Applications run from 1 September 2026 to 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time.

This guide explains what the fellowship pays, who can apply, the two-part application, how fellows are selected and how to apply step by step. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 at a glance

What is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?

The scheme brings strong research students from around the world to Hong Kong. Fellows study at one of the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee. Applicants of any nationality, work experience or background can apply, and there is no quota by country.

What does the fellowship cover?

For 2027/28 the fellowship pays an annual stipend of 344,400 Hong Kong dollars, which is about 28,700 dollars a month, and a conference and research travel allowance of 14,400 dollars a year. The fellowship lasts up to three years. Many universities waive tuition fees for fellows and add their own awards, such as a top-up scholarship or a guaranteed place in student housing. These extras differ between universities, so compare them before you choose.

If your PhD takes longer than three years, ask your university how it supports fellows in the remaining period.

Who can apply?

• Applicants of any nationality, work experience or ethnic background
• You are seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student at one of the eight participating universities.
• You have an outstanding academic record and research ability.
• You have strong communication skills and leadership potential.

The two-part application

HKPFS has two applications, and you must complete both:

1. The HKPFS initial application on the RGC’s electronic system. When you submit it, you receive an HKPFS reference number.
2. The full PhD application to your chosen university, quoting that reference number. Each university has its own deadline, which can be different from 1 December.

An initial application with no university application is not considered.

Documents you need

• Research proposal
• CV and personal statement
• Transcripts and degree certificates
• Recommendation letters
• Evidence of English proficiency, if your university requires it

How fellows are selected

The RGC publishes four selection criteria. Academic excellence is the primary consideration:

1. Academic excellence
2. Research ability and potential
3. Communication and interpersonal skills
4. Leadership abilities

Universities shortlist applicants and nominate candidates to the RGC, which makes the final selection.

HKPFS 2027/28 timeline

How to apply, step by step

1. Choose your university and PhD programme.
2. Contact a potential supervisor whose research matches your proposal.
3. Write your research proposal.
4. Submit the HKPFS initial application before 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong time, and note your reference number.
5. Submit the full PhD application to the university by its own deadline, with the reference number.
6. Wait for the nomination and result.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Lead with your academic record and research output, because academic excellence comes first.
• Make the proposal fit a real research group at the university.
• Show communication skills through presentations, publications or teaching.
• Give one or two specific leadership examples.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Completing only the initial application.
• Missing the university’s own deadline.
• Sending a generic proposal to several departments.
• Forgetting that noon Hong Kong time is early morning in many countries.

Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship right for you?

It suits you if:

• you have an excellent academic record, usually near the top of your class;
• you have research experience, such as a thesis, a project or a publication;
• you want a full-time PhD and can commit three to four years;
• you can find a supervisor in Hong Kong whose work matches yours.

Look elsewhere if:

• you want a taught master’s degree;
• you plan to study part-time;
• you are already enrolled as a PhD student at one of the eight universities.

How to choose a university and supervisor

1. List the universities that have a department in your field.
2. Read staff pages and recent papers to find professors working on your topic.
3. Email your first choice with your CV and a one-page research outline, and ask whether they are taking PhD students for 2027/28.
4. Ask what the university offers fellows beyond the stipend.
5. Check the university’s own PhD application deadline, which may be the same as or different from 1 December.

Our guide on how to email professors has a template.

How to write the HKPFS research proposal

Selectors assess your research ability and potential through the proposal. Keep it focused and realistic for a PhD:

• Title and question: one clear problem.
• Background: the key studies and the gap.
• Method: what you will do and how you will analyse the results.
• Timeline: the main stages across three to four years.
• Significance: why the result matters to the field or to society.

Follow the length and format your university asks for. Our research proposal template shows each part in detail.

How to show the other three criteria

• Academic excellence: give your grades with the scale, your class rank and any prizes. It is the primary consideration.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: list presentations, teaching, publications and work in teams.
• Leadership: describe one or two roles where you took responsibility, and what happened as a result.

Use your personal statement and CV to cover these. Our research CV template gives the order to use.

A preparation plan

1. September: shortlist universities and contact potential supervisors.
2. October: draft your research proposal and ask your referees.
3. Early November: take an English test if your university requires one, and prepare your CV and statement.
4. Mid-November: submit the HKPFS initial application and note your reference number.
5. By the university’s deadline: submit the full PhD application with the reference number.

After you apply

Universities review their applicants, interview some of them and nominate candidates to the Research Grants Council. The Council’s selection panels then choose the fellows, and results are typically announced in spring. If you are not awarded the fellowship, the university may still offer you a PhD place with its own postgraduate studentship, so reply to any offer you receive.

How to prepare for a university interview

Some universities interview applicants before they decide whom to nominate. The interview is usually online and lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. Expect questions on your research proposal, your earlier research and why you chose that department. To prepare:

• Be able to explain your proposal in two minutes, without notes.
• Know the main papers in your area, including your potential supervisor’s.
• Prepare one example each for teamwork, leadership and a problem you solved in your research.
• Have two or three questions ready about the department and its research.

See our scholarship interview tips for how to structure answers.

Recommendation letters

Your referees support both academic excellence and research potential, so choose professors who supervised your thesis or taught you in advanced courses. Give them your proposal, CV and the four selection criteria, and tell them the university’s deadline as well as the fellowship’s. A letter that describes what you did in a research project, with detail, is worth more than a general statement of praise. Our guide on getting strong recommendation letters explains how to ask.

Living in Hong Kong as a PhD student

Hong Kong is compact, safe and well connected, and English is widely used at its universities. Housing is the largest cost. Ask your university about student halls as soon as you receive an offer, because private rent is high and places in halls are limited. The monthly stipend is intended to cover rent, food, transport and other living costs.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS required for HKPFS?

The fellowship itself does not set one test. Your university sets its English requirement, so check it for your programme.

Can I apply to more than one university?

The scheme lets you list a limited number of programme choices. Check the current rule in the RGC’s application guide.

Is tuition free?

The fellowship pays a stipend and travel allowance. Many universities also waive tuition for fellows, but this is each university’s decision.

How much is the stipend?

HK$344,400 a year for 2027/28.

Is there an age limit?

The scheme is open to applicants of any nationality and work experience. The RGC’s guide lists the eligibility rules.

Where to apply

Apply through the official HKPFS website. See our Hong Kong PhD Fellowship page for the full details, and use our academic CV template and recommendation letter guide.